Honky-Donkey

film no. 129

availability:

Released July 6, 1994. Also released as part of 12 VHS boxed set. This is a complete original print with
excellent picture quality. The total footage lasts 16:26. This version has appeared on numerous bootlegs. There's
also a clip lasting 0:02 included in the opening advertisement of all the Cabin Fever VHS releases, which shows the
kids on the merry-go-round.

This is a home movie print from Blackhawk entitled "Honkey-Donkey." The opening and end
titles, and crew credits, are remade. The picture quality is very good. The original footage totals 15:48, but the
original soundtrack lasts an additional 0:30.

Original film released 1981. Video released 1984. A clip lasting 0:03 is included, showing the
mailman riding his bike into the mailbox. Another clip lasting 0:01 is included, showing Don Barclay getting kicked by
the mule. A third clip lasting 0:07 is included, showing Barclay sliding down the banister. All three clips have music
added.

technical details:

Production G-22.

Filmed probably in April 1934.

Copyrighted May 25, 1934, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Corporation. Registration no. LP4750. Renewed August
30, 1961, with registration no. R281108. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2029.

Released June 2, 1934. It was the 129th film in the series to be released.

All-talking two-reeler.

Opening title: 'Hal Roach presents Our Gang in "Honky-Donkey".'

King World Productions episode no. 32b, available in both colorized and original black-and-white versions. This
version is listed without the hyphen.

animal training - Tony Campanaro may have been
among the animal trainers.

the kids:

George "Spanky" McFarland as "Spanky" aka "Spank"

Featured role. He and Scotty are giving plenty of funny dialogue throughout the film, as they serve as
sideline observers.

Scotty Beckett as "Scotty" aka "Scott"

Featured role. He accompanies Spanky throughout the film, and has his fair share of
dialogue.

Wally Albright as "Wallace"

Featured role. He's the rich kid who's pampered by his mother, but would rather drive down some
alleys.

Matthew "Stymie" Beard

Supporting role. The nickname wasn't used in this film. He's the only one who seems to have any
influence over the mule.

Tommy Bond as "Tommy"

Supporting role. He has a few lines of dialogue, but is mostly an ensemble player.

Willie Mae Taylor as "Buckwheat"

Supporting role. She's given little of anything specific to do, but is present through most of the
proceedings.

Philbrook Lyons

Supporting role. He's purely an ensemble player in this film, which was his last.

the animals:

mule 111 as "Algebra"

Featured role. Credited as Dinah the Mule by Maltin & Bann. She'll move only when somebody
sneezes, and stop only when a bell is rung.

Leo

Bit part. The MGM lion appears at the opening of the film.

the adults:

Don Barclay as "Barclay," the chauffeur

Lead role. He's basically the star of the film, and sneezes at all the wrong times.

Julia Griffith as "Cynthia," the household servant

Supporting role. She tries to remove the mule from the house. The 1977 edition of Maltin & Bann's
book, and Maltin's earlier The Great Movie Shorts, credit the part to Natalie Moorhead.

Charles McAvoy as the cop

Small part. He helps Barclay put the mule in the car.

William Wagner as the realtor

Small part. He chases the kids out of the vacant lot.

Bess Flowers as the maid

Bit part. She appears briefly with Griffith when they first see the mule and the kids on the
property.

Pete Gordon as the bike rider

Bit part. He rides his bike into a mailbox.

Mickey Daniels as the voice-over for the mule

Bit part. His distinctive laugh is used twice for the mule.

other adults

Supporting roles, small part, bit parts and extras.
(1.) The woman who plays Wallace's mother, seen pampering her son at the start of the film, and returning
towards the end.
(2.) "Julius," the butler, who is unsuccessful at gaining control over the mule.
(3.) The doorman who lets Wally's mother into the department store.
(4.) The cab driver who drops Wally's mother off at the house.
(5.) Various pedestrians shown in the street scenes.

the music:

"Good Old Days" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931.
(A14.) This is played over the opening titles and as we're introduced to Wally and his mother and Barclay. A
small portion is repeated at the final scene at the fountain and during the end title.

the locations:

Bagley Avenue, Palms district, Los Angeles

In the longshot in which the car pulls into the alley, it's leaving Bagley Avenue just north of
Venice Boulevard in Palms. The alley stretches between Bagley Avenue and Cardiff Avenue. Also shown in this shot is a
portion of the west side of Main Street in Culver City, with the top of the Culver Hotel rising
above.